UPDATE: Two of the three missing women’s bodies have been recovered
Police have just confirmed that two of the missing women’s bodies have been found.
Tragedy struck on Sunday when six women were swept away by the raging Klein Olifants River near the bridge after a sluice at the Middelburg Dam was opened. The surge in water caught the group off guard.
Three of the women managed to cling to tree branches and were later pulled to safety by SAPS Search and Rescue teams. The remaining three were swept away downstream by the force of the water.
Emergency services, including the Middelburg K9 Unit and Police Diving Unit, remained on the scene until late into the night in an attempt to locate the missing women. However, the search had to be suspended due to dangerous conditions. Teams returned at first light this morning to continue the operation.
• At the time of publishing, the search continues for the remaining missing woman.
• The Middelburg Observer has been on the scene from early this morning.
